The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Quercus and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Two hotel receptionists--and arch-rivals--find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way.

It's the busiest season of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel's front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and see it through.

The hotel won't stay afloat beyond Christmas without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest's lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management that this might be the way to fix everything. With four rings still sitting in the lost & found, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel--and their jobs.

As their bitter rivalry turns into something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas begin to wonder if there's more at stake here than the hotel's future. Can the two of them make it through the season with their hearts intact?

My Opinion

Whilst set around Christmas, this book is more about trying to save the hotel than festivities. Firstly, I have to say that I love the banter between Izzy and Lucas and in places I found myself getting frustrated with the pair. This was a light-hearted, lovely read. Of course, this is a predictable read but sometime predictability helps me enjoy a book. A great read if you need to relax.

Rating 4/5

This was just such a wholesome treat of a book. I've been a fan of Beth O'Leary since the very beginning and she just goes from strength to strength. Cannot wait to see where she goes next!

I'm a huge fan of Beth O'Leary, so was eager to rip into this one. It did not disappoint. There's a lot here to tick my boxes - a festive setting, likeable 'found family' work environment, and two protagonists that are easy to root for. What makes this slightly different from O'Leary's other books is just how *hot* and *sexy* this book is. She really lets loose with this one and it was absolutely fabulous escapism. Another surefire hit on her hands.

It’s a well known fact around Forest Manor Hotel that Izzy and Lucas don’t get on, he’s uptight and aloof she’s frivolous and needlessly friendly, it’s oil on water, it’s grumpy versus sunshine, it’s enemies to lovers but when their beloved hotel is in trouble differences must be set aside for the greater good. I read this a while ago and have been extremely tardy in writing a review so I’m a bit fuzzy on the details I’ll admit. I did enjoy this though it was a lot of fun, I did find Izzy slightly annoying but as a natural grump I always find sunshine a difficult one to get right. Also the original cause for their enmity was a bit thin I think. I did enjoy the ring competition element and the permanent resident storyline. A nice Christmassy story.

I was nervous about this one! I absolutely adored The Flatshare, didn’t love The Switch or the Road Trip but then I really enjoyed The No Show. It was hard to tell where this one would end up. The first half for me felt like a slow burn, I wasn’t invested in Izzy or Lucas to begin with. That took a turn just over half way through and I felt like I flew through the remainder of the book. I wasn’t a fan of what I’ve seen called the ‘miscommunication trope’ and deep down I just wanted more romance from earlier on in the book. Having said that the second half of the book really picked up for me and I did really enjoy it.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

Lots of heart warming fun. Lovely to carry on the story from the previous books in the series but could also be read easily enough as a stand alone. Old and new characters been away from the sweet shop setting to celebrate Jamie and Finns joint hen and stag party. Romantic, easy entertainment. A good read.

Thank you Netgalley

Misunderstandings - check
Miscommunication - check
Kooky heroine & uptight hero - check
Enemies to lovers/feuding work colleagues- check

This was only ok. I became rather frustrated with both Lucas and Izzy and this story took far too long to get going. I did very nearly give up.

2.5 stars

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I read ‘The Wake-Up Call’ with my book group friends and this turned out to be extremely problematic because of the way the book is laid out. We usually have a group chat and leave voice notes as we go along, indicating chapter number. This way we can read at our own pace and avoid spoilers. There are no chapter names or numbers, so we didn't have a clue how to accurately identify where we were. As it turned out, I didn't have a great deal to say anyway - other than regular huffs of frustration.

Izzy repeatedly rubbed me up the wrong way throughout the book. Lucas wasn't much better. Thankfully Mean Jem was there to sort Izzy out - I just wish she'd done it about 300 pages sooner. Am I getting too old for this type of book? Maybe. Having said that, I have enjoyed some of Beth's other work. I just don't feel this one is up to the same standard.

Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC.

Beth O'Leary is one of my must-read romance authors and The Wake-Up Call did not disappoint. Set in a crumbling English Bed & Breakfast, O'Leary has crafted a beautiful enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved the 'quest' of this novel to reunite wedding rings with their rightful owners and the B&B provided a cast of lovable, if slightly odd, characters. I read this in one sitting and it did not disappoint.

I’d like to preface this with: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of Beth O’Leary’s previous books. They always hit for me when I needed something with a bit of personality while still being light.

However, this one unfortunately didn’t quite match up to my expectations. I think this was based on the fact the main characters didn’t really appeal and both seemed to irk me from the beginning.

The setting was a brilliant concept with all the quirky hotel guests…I’d have loved this more if that was a bigger focus I think.

The main male character just seemed too unaware of everything and a bit stuck up for my liking and the female? She appeared a bit petty to never bring things up. The miscommunication trope is not my favourite and I think that’s ultimately why I didn’t love this like the past books.

As always Beth’s writing was brilliant but it just wasn’t for me this time. I will still continue to read everything she publishes though!

A fun back & forth with some great one-liners, but with my least favourite trope - miscommunication.

I did enjoy this, but not as much as I thought I would. I found myself getting annoyed with the two lead characters & their childishness, despite generally liking them. I loved Izzy's friends & hotel guests & staff all made great side characters.

This wasn't my favourite Beth O'leary & it lacked a little of the emotion that some of her other reads have had. However, an entertaining & fun read for over the festive period.

This was like a rom-com but in book form. Just what I needed in the holiday season! I loved the back and forth between the two main characters, and finding out more about their backgrounds. Also the whole ring fiasco added the perfect humor and fluffiness that I needed.

Was a bit of a slower start than other books by this author, and took me a bit to get into! But I eventually got into it and enjoyed the light read and hotel shenanigans!

4.5 stars

So Beth O'Leary is one of my all time favourite authors and it was upsetting me that I was behind on her books (I still have The No-Show to read) so I decided to pick this one up especially because it was set around Christmas!

I really enjoyed this book and I really grew to love these characters so much. Beth has an amazing way of writing realistic and relatable characters that you cannot help but root for! I found myself hooked from the very beginning and devoured it, eager to watch this romance unfold.

My only issue was the miscommunication, which is one of those tropes I really dislike. While it wasn't as frustrating in this book it really did just have me screaming at the main characters wishing they would talk! Again, this is just a me problem!

Overall, an enjoyable, addictive and light-hearted read that just confirms Beth O'Leary as an auto-buy author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Enemies to lovers? Check!
Forced proximity/workmates? Check
Slow burn? Check

Lucas and Izzy have all of the above in abundance. They cannot be any more differnt - she is quirky and fun, he is straight out serious.

And they hate each other... or do they>

I did find the whole reason Izzy hates Lucas a bit tiresome after a while, adn when we find out what happened it was all, OK, yeah I get it, but the amount of energy she puts into it was a bit OTT.

The pacing felt a bit off to me too. We go from getting ther, to the whole "ring thing" in the main part of the book dragging, to rushing to the end. But again, this is probably just a me issue.

I liked the characters that surround Lucas and Izzy (for the most part, anyways.)

The Wake-Up call is enjoyable enough,but not my favourite Beth O'Leary book.

"The Wake Up Call" by Beth O'Leary exceeded all my expectations and proved to be everything I had hoped for and more. The story, setting, and characters resonated with me, creating an experience I wished wouldn't end. This highly enjoyable and entertaining read is a gem for anyone who appreciates the romance genre.

The Forest Manor Hotel, with its intriguing description, became a place I longed to visit and an enchanting backdrop for the unfolding story. Falling seamlessly into the lives of the characters, particularly Izzy and Lucas, their rivalry, misunderstandings, and simmering chemistry were perfectly portrayed, leaving me rooting for a satisfying resolution for both.

The inclusion of the lost and found rings added an extra layer to the narrative, introducing delightful additional characters and weaving engaging tales around each attempt to reunite the rings with their owners. Overall, "The Wake Up Call" is a delightful journey filled with romance, charm, and a touch of serendipity that I would enthusiastically recommend to fellow romance enthusiasts.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

Thank you for my eARC of this book. I loved the premise of this but unfortunately it didn’t hold my attention so I didn’t finish.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the concept and storyline, and the book was engaging.

So fun and sexy and kind of unexpected for Beth O'Leary! I feel she's more of a women's fic/romance cusp girly, but this was more a straight up romance. I really felt the chemistry between the two leads, and I really loved the slight twist of a FMC leaning into her sharper, less people pleasing side for a change for a Christmas story.